Official Website
Bonsai is a client management tool for proposals, contracts, invoicing, and payments.
🔗 Visit Official Website — Bonsai
Domain: www.hellobonsai.com
What This Website Is
Bonsai is a client management tool for proposals, contracts, invoicing, and payments. For the 🎨 Art & Illustration Commissions side hustle, it helps you onboard clients, set clear terms, and get paid faster.
How to Apply It to 🎨 Art & Illustration Commissions
Use Bonsai as a practical “commission pipeline”: inquiry → quote → contract → invoice → deliver.
Step-by-Step Implementation:
- Phase 1: Create a commission intake workflow (what you need before you start: style, size, deadline, references).
- Phase 2: Send a contract + deposit invoice before beginning work.
- Phase 3: Use milestones (sketch approval → final) and invoice balance on delivery.
Common Use Cases for this Side Hustle:
- Scenario A: Clients request changes and you need clear scope rules.
- Scenario B: You want deposits to reduce cancellations/no-shows.
- Scenario C: You want consistent templates for faster client onboarding.
When to Use This
- You take paid commissions and want clear terms.
- You need contracts and deposits.
- You want professional invoices and follow-ups.
- You want a repeatable client process.
Best Tasks to Use It For
- Proposals and quotes
- Contracts and scope terms
- Deposit and final invoices
- Client communication templates
- Payment tracking
Getting Started Steps
- Create a Bonsai account.
- Set up your invoice and contract templates.
- Define your commission packages and pricing.
- Send contracts + deposit invoices for new clients.
- Track milestones (sketch → final).
- Invoice balance on delivery.
- Save templates and reuse for every commission.
Good Beginner Search Terms
- art commission contract template
- how to invoice for commissions
- deposit invoice best practices
- scope of work for commissions
- Bonsai invoice setup
- commission workflow milestones
Monetization Angle
Better contracts and payment systems reduce unpaid work and scope creep, so you keep more profit and can take more commissions confidently.
Pros
- Professional contracts and invoicing
- Helps prevent scope creep
- Payment tracking in one system
Cons
- Paid tool
- Setup time for templates
- Some clients still prefer PayPal-only workflows
Who Should Use This
Commission artists who want a professional client workflow with contracts, deposits, and invoices.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you only take very small one-off commissions and prefer a simple payment link.
Practical Applications
- Prepare a commission proposal with deliverables and revision limits.
- Track approvals, deposits, and remaining balances against the project.
- Create a consistent client onboarding and handoff checklist.
Important Considerations
- Review current features, plan costs, payment charges, and regional availability.
- Templates do not replace tailored legal terms; agree copyright, usage rights, cancellation, confidentiality, and source-file delivery explicitly.
Related Resources
Carrd — Creates a simple commission portfolio and pricing page for client inquiries.
Procreate — Supports the actual illustration workflow before Bonsai handles contracts and payments.
ArtStation — Showcases portfolio work and helps clients evaluate style and quality.
Related Side Hustles
Selling Digital Products — Commission artwork can become templates, prints, brushes, and downloadable assets.
Stock Photography: Make Money Selling Your Photos Online — Both depend on visual portfolios, licensing terms, and client-ready deliverables.